I was curious enough about them to get a DVD from one of them (Endless Pool, I think). If I remember right, they are quite expensive if you don't already have a pool (> $10,000). I think they have a model that can go in an existing pool, which reduces the cost quite a bit. If I was going to get one, I would be sure and get one with both underwater mirror and video taping options.

Man, you'd have to be pretty freaking dedicated to training to drop that kind of coin on what amounts to a treadmill for swimming. The underwater mirror would help somewhat, but that sounds phenomenally boring. And I say this as someone who likes swimming laps.

so for the price of an endless pool you could get 23 years of membership at a gym. totally logical for your average person.......

Simply put, somethings do not come down to simple number crunching or logic. Time and other factors have no price.

I say this as someone with a home gym, a treadmill, a spin bike, bike rollers and some mat space in my basement. I can get hour+ long workouts while spending time with my 2 little girls before my wife gets home. I could never justify to you or anyone this stuff based on price, but it (everything in total) is a purchase I would never think twice about.

I swim twice a week with a local master's team. I cannot swim $10k for one of these things and I am not sure where I would put it or if they really train that well - but if they do I could understand the appeal.

Desperate

This is how desperate I can get. A couple of years ago I dug a hole in my yard, ran some pvc pipe to cheap black plastic,and a $35 pump/filter, tied a rope around my waist and I would swim non stop as long as I wanted. It was great training for everything (musles,breathing,etc...) except fpr one important thing- on race day my legs dragged like an ancor( that rope pulling on me, taught me bad posture). So I know I would train like a fool If I had the right equipment at home. I hope someone out there knows of some comparisons ?

The gym and pool where I work is right across the street from my office so I guess I will walk over there to swim. I'm looking forward from totally sucking at swimming to only slightly sucking. Hopefully I can do that in less than 6 months. lol.

The gym and pool where I work is right across the street from my office so I guess I will walk over there to swim. I'm looking forward from totally sucking at swimming to only slightly sucking. Hopefully I can do that in less than 6 months. lol.

If you're dedicated, 6 months is plenty of time to get decent. I went from just knowing how to swim from summer swim lessons as a kid to Most Improved on my high school swim team in about 4 months.

Check out http://www.aquaveeonline.com/ I found that company in the classifieds section at the back of Triathlete magazine. I got their bungie cords and have been pretty happy. In the summer I have the ocean to go swim in but in the off season all I have is the pool at my gym. But with the Aquavee I can just swim and swim without having to do turns or anything. Havent noticed an impact on my form or anything.

Thinking isn't doing

Iv'e been comparing the running treadmill expierience with what might be a swim treadmill. just like a treadmill teaches speed and leg forward movement,running on a moving belt isn't the same as having to propell forward on a stationary road. I'm going to give the rope method some more developement. But before that I'll video the before and after affects/results ??

aquavee

i have an aquavee and I get a better workout than normal swimming. Its awesome! I have a small "kidney/peanut" size pool where you can't do laps. But with Aquavee you can swimm with no boudaries in any type size pool. I did the workout mentioned on the website by Robert Srauss X olympic swimmer. The web address is www.aquaveeonline.com and click on the "testimony" icon to see this workout session. buy it onlineline, they deliver. Can't beat the price... $79.00 for AquaVee compared to endless pools $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.